Md. becomes first state in nation to protect homeless people under hate-crimes law

October 12th, 2009 NYPD: Beating of gay man a possible hate crimeNEW YORK — New York City police say a 49-year-old gay man leaving a corner deli near his home was beaten by two men in an apparent hate crime. Jack Price remains in a medically induced coma.

October 8th, 2009 House acts to extend hate crimes to cover gaysWASHINGTON — The House has voted to significantly expand four-decades-old hate crimes law to protect those attacked because of their sexual orientation. The Senate is expected to act soon on the bill, which is attached to must-pass defense policy legislation.

October 8th, 2009 Congress moves to extend hate crimes to cover gaysWASHINGTON — Assaulting people because of their sexual orientation would become a federal hate crime in legislation the House is set to vote on Thursday. The bill would significantly expand the hate crimes law enacted in the days after Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination in 1968.

August 14th, 2009 Russian police nab suspect in 15 racial killingsMOSCOW — A man suspected of committing 15 racially motivated killings was arrested in Moscow on Friday, according to officials. Vasily Krivets, 21, was detained at a railway station as he tried to board a train for Ukraine, police spokeswoman Yulia Kiselyova told Vesti 24 television.

July 29th, 2009 White supremacist indicted in museum shootingWASHINGTON — A federal grand jury has indicted the white supremacist accused of fatally shooting a security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.

July 17th, 2009 Senate votes to expand federal hate crimes lawsWASHINGTON — People attacked because of their sexual orientation or gender would receive federal protections under a Senate-approved measure that significantly expands the reach of hate crimes law. The Senate bill also would make it easier for federal prosecutors to step in when state or local authorities are unable or unwilling to pursue hate crimes.

July 17th, 2009 Senate wants expansion of federal hate crimes lawWASHINGTON — People attacked because of their sexual orientation or gender would receive federal protections under a Senate-approved measure that significantly expands the reach of hate crimes law. The Senate bill also would make it easier for federal prosecutors to step in when state or local authorities are unable or unwilling to pursue hate crimes.

July 17th, 2009 Senate votes to expand federal hate crimesWASHINGTON — People attacked because of their sexual orientation or gender would receive federal protections under a Senate-approved measure that significantly expands the reach of hate crimes law. The Senate bill also would make it easier for federal prosecutors to step in when state or local authorities are unable or unwilling to pursue hate crimes.

July 15th, 2009 Senate takes up hate crimes bill covering gaysWASHINGTON — Legislation to extend federal hate crimes protections to gays and the disabled reached the Senate floor Wednesday with the best prospects in years to become law. The measure, which also makes it easier for federal prosecutors to get involved in hate crimes cases, passed the House in a similar version in April and enjoys solid support in the Senate.

July 13th, 2009 A summary of New York's hate crime lawHere are the totals for hate crimes reported and convictions under New York's 2000 law, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services: 2000 — 781 reported hate crimes; 49 convictions 2001 — 975 reported hate crimes; 167 convictions 2002 — 721 reported hate crimes; 81 convictions 2003 — 670 reported hate crimes; 101 convictions 2004 — 626 reported hate crimes; 80 convictions 2005 — 585 reported hate crimes; 78 convictions 2006 — 611 reported hate crimes; 77 convictions 2007 — 636 reported hate crimes; 88 convictions 2008 — 544 reported hate crimes; 66 convictions —Of the 787 hate crime convictions statewide, New York City's four counties — Bronx, Kings, Queens and New York — account for nearly two-thirds (499). Top 5 Counties with most hate crime convictions: 1.

June 25th, 2009 Holder tells Congress new hate crime law neededWASHINGTON — Attorney General Eric Holder urged Congress to pass a new hate crimes law so the government could prosecute cases of violence based on sexual orientation, gender or disability. At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Thursday, he cited the recent killing of a security guard at the U.S.

June 16th, 2009 AG Holder urges new hate crimes lawWASHINGTON — Citing recent killings in Arkansas, Kansas and the nation's capital, Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday said new hate crimes law were needed to stop what he called "violence masquerading as political activism." The attorney general's call for Congress to act came as a civil rights coalition said there has been a surge in white supremacist activity since the election of the first African-American president and the economic downturn. "Over the last several weeks, we have witnessed brazen acts of violence committed in places that many would have considered unthinkable," Holder told the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.

April 30th, 2009 House bill would provide gays new protectionsHWASHINGTON — Gay victims of violence would gain new federal protections under a revived and expanded hate crimes bill passed by the House on Wednesday over conservatives' objections. Hate crimes — as defined by the bill — are those motivated by prejudice and based someone's race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

April 29th, 2009 Gays would get new protections under House billWASHINGTON — Gay victims of violence would gain new federal protections under a revived and expanded hate crimes bill passed by the House on Wednesday over conservatives' objections. Hate crimes — as defined by the bill — are those motivated by prejudice and based someone's race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

April 27th, 2009 Ill. volunteers married at homeless shelterSPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Two central Illinois volunteers have tied the knot in the place they first met: a homeless shelter.